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THE i>x-^5riwffOTTTia: i»iXia-». ii^i s 



A SERMON 



PREACHED m THE 



FIRST CHURCH, RANDOLPH, 



DECEMBER 25, 1870, 



BY 



REV. J. C. LABAREE 



PRIM TED BY BEQUEST. 



RANDOLPH, MASS. 
PRINTED BY MRS. S. P. BROWN. 

UNION STREET. 
1871. 



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TUB I> IL, "ST 3Sd: O XJ T la: I* T X. G- £t I IvI s 



A SERMON 



PREACHED IN THE 



FIRST CJHURCH, RANDOLPH, 



DECEMBER 25, 1870, 



REV. J. C. LABAREE 



PRINTED BY BEQUEST. 
< »»■ > 



RANDOLPH, MASS. 
PRINTED BY MRS. S. P. BROWN. 

UNION STREET. 
1871. 






The printing of this sermon has been reqnested for 
local circulation with the hope that it may contribute to 
the correction of some popular errors concerning our 
Pilgrim Fathers. It was prepared with no thought of 
publication, and a thorough revision has not been possible. 
The various authorities so freely quoted will be recognized 
by most readers without references. 



/ ?- v/^/ 



SERMON. 



I 



\ 



1 Sam. 2: 'M), 

" TflEM THAT HONOR ME I WILL HONOil." 

When a good deed is nobly done, it deserves to be held 
in honor. The excellence of an action does not consist in 
the pomp and splendor of its performance. The humblest 
may be the grandest, the most lowly may be the most hon- 
orable. ^Phis is a principle in the divine government. 
'I'liey who lightly esteem God, and who rise to place and 
power in disregard of the strict principles of right, they 
shall in time become obscured or despised. " The good 
only are immortal" in love and honor. This judgment 
can be perfectly carried out only in the world to come. 
Yet here on earth God has allowed to it great prominence. 
'I'he veneration of our fellow-men is not overlooked when 
the Lord affirms, -'Them that honor me I will honor." 
History is just. And it becomes an important agency 
under the direction of Providence in accomplishing the 
divine |)urpose of giving honor to whom honor is due. 

Yoiu- attention is invited to the illustration of this prin- 
ciple in the history of the Pilgrim Fathers of New Eng- 
land, and the continued and increasing honor which is 
bestowed upon them. 

Before the days of Luther there were christians in Eng- 
land who had been taught the simple truths and forms 
of Christianity by John Wickliffe and his disciples. 



When the great Reformation spread over Europe, its 
course in England was arrested midway by king Henry 
the Eighth. He denied that the pope had power over the 
people of Britain ; and, refusing allegiance to Rome, be- 
came himself a most tyrrannical pope to all his subjects. 
" He undertook to determine what his people should 
believe," and pronounced and executed the most fearful 
penalties against all opposition to the doctrines he had 
decreed. 

In the reign of Edward the Sixth the Protestant religion 
received the favor of the court and king. But whatsoever 
the king chose became the law for every subject; and 
John Hooper was persecuted for refusing to wear in the 
pulpit certain vestments prescribed by the autiioiities of 
the church. He is the lirst person who took such a stand 
for a simpler form of dress in v/orship. The idea being 
generally received at that day that ''no priestly act was of 
any value unless performed in a priestly dress." Queen 
Mary came to the throne a bigoted Catholic. She restored 
the power of the Romish C'hurch and kindled the fires of 
bitter persecution. In the long and pros]5erous reign of her 
successor Elizabeth, Protestantism was once more restored. 
But the maiden queen loved imposing ceremonies of wor- 
ship, and severely annoyed those ministers and congrega- 
tions that did not in all respects conform to the standard set 
by royal decree. A purer form was believed by many to be 
essential to genuine protestantism ; necessary in order to fix 
a gulf between themselves and Romanism ; and it was 
further thought that only the natural and unpretending 
forms had any warrant from the New Testament. The 
men who sought to restore the methods of worship to 
more apostolic simplicity were called Puritans. They did 
not differ in theology from Elizabeth and the great Bish- 



ops of the English Church. Their doctrine was the same, 
in church poUty they differed. The Puritans did not al- 
low that the monarch had the right of dictation in 
matters of religion. They did not believe that the Ro- 
mish church .was a genuine branch of the true church of 
Christ, but that it was no church at all, and that it was of 
no importance whatever to be able to trace the apostolic 
succession of the ministry through the Romish Church 
back to the apostles. 

The Puritans also held that whatever matters were not 
expressly commanded by authority of Scripture, " ought 
not to be made necessary by human laws," for thus the 
civil magistrate might -'dress up religion in any shape and 
instead of one ceremony he might load it with a thou- 
sand." On these points the Puritans took their stand in 
opposition to the Established Church of England. 

But both Puritans and Churchmen '• agreed too well in 
asserting the necessity of uniformity in public worship, 
and of using the sword of the magistrate for the support 
and defence of their principles." The churchman perse- 
cuted the Puritan, nnd the Puritan persecuted the churchman, 
just as often and as far as they could grasp the power to 
do so. The standard of uniformity according to one was 
the decision of the king or queen, and the statute law. 
With the other the standard wa=^ fixed by local or general 
synods, (or assemblies of the ministers and elders.) But 
according' to the belief of both these parties, the civil mag- 
istrate had full power to enforce upon the entire popula- 
tion the uniform standard of worship. Toleration was 
not then recognized in Great Britain as a principle of 
Christianity. The Catholic, the Episcopalian, the Puri- 
tan, felt authorized to force all opponents into agreement 
with their own ideas. 



This was in the sixteenth century. It was an age of 
great progress in the knowledge of the Bible and Christi- 
anity. When that century opened, the darkness of the 
middle ages still enveloped the religious world. The 
great Reformation of Luther had not burst forth. Over 
continent and island the tyranny of Rome held undisputed 
sway. 

But when the sixteenth century closed the light of 
truth had risen upon the lands. The Bible had been 
given for the first time to the masses. Their hearts had 
been opened by the power of God's Spirit, and they had 
received the glad tidings joyfully. But let us not wonder 
that men did not all at once grasp every truth. Let not 
too severe judgment be passed on the^Puritans for the 
failure to cast out every evil of the old systems. 

Luther retained many Romish errors even after he left 
that church, but we are charitable toward him in those par- 
ticulars, remembering the great good that he did achieve. 
We dwell upon the practical reforms he did produce. We 
compare him with the church from which he came out, 
and give him honor. Thus should we judge the reform- 
ers in the English ('hurch. It seems small and mean and 
unworthy to rail at them for what they did not do. when 
the victories they did win were priceless, and naturally 
led to still greater advances. The Puritans fought many 
a hard battle in the cause of religious liberty. They 
were far in advance of any other equal number of men 
that England had ever produced. 

Yet it should be understood distinctly hat the main 
body of Puritans were even at this time churchmen. They 
had not severed their connection with the Established 
Church. They had only objected to certain of its usages, 
and hoped to effect a change. .They did not as a body for- 



sake the old church and establish a new one till a much 
later period. 

At the same period in England there was a class of hum- 
ble, earnest people who could not find in the New Testa- 
ment authority for putting the control of religious belief in 
the hands of either bishops or popes. They believed that 
men had the right to worship God according to the dic- 
tates of their own consciences with none to molest or 
make afraid, and that a company of believers associating 
themselves and electing their own pastor in accordance 
with the directions of the New Testament, were as truly 
a church of Christ as any other. 

They held that no church had authority over other 
churches, but that churches should " walk by one and the 
same rule, and by all means convenient to have the help 
and counsel of one another in all needful affairs of the 
church." 

Persons holding these views separated from the Estab- 
lished Church and formed themselves into independent 
churches, governed only by the majority in the congrega- 
tion of believers. Hence they were called at first Separa- 
tists, and afterwards Independents, and, still later. Congre- 
gationalists. 

It should be understood, however that various other 
sects and parties holding different views from those just 
mentioned came out from the state church, and for their 
errors and evil influence the original Congregation alists 
were in no wise responsible. 

During the first year of the seventeenth century, in the 
north of England and in the obscure town of Scrooby, 
there was gathered a little congregation of this class of 
christians who had separated from the English Church and 
worshiped by themselves. That humble band of disciples 



have become immortal. They are the men who, a few 
years later, landed on Plymouth Eock and laid the founda- 
tions of civil and religious liberty in this country. 

Forced by the vigilance of sheriffs, and the malice of 
their enemies to meet in secret, they changed their place 
of worship from time to time, but could not escape perse- 
cution. They resolved to go where they could enjoy 
the liberty of worshiping God in the way which to them 
seemed right; believing that their happiest lot would be in 
" A Church without a Bishop, and a State without a King." 

This congregation was not the first band which England 
had exiled by the rigor of her laws. Probably at different 
times thousands had thus fled from their mother country. 
In 1592, the entire body of Separatists in England peti- 
tioned to be sent to " a far country which lieth to the west 
from hence in the province of Canada." This petition 
was however denied, and only straggling bands escaped, 
running the gauntlet of fierce persecution in their efforts 
to reach an asylum where they would be free to worship 
God. 

Was it unmanly to escape the perils of their mother 
country and forsake her fortunes forever ? We cannot an- 
swer for all the exiles, but the Pilgrim band that went 
from Scrooby met this question fairly. They were loyal 
souls. England was dear to them. But still nearer to 
their hearts lay the duty of loyalty to God — and a true 
concern for the interests of their posterity. '• Persecution 
might cause their children to abjure their faith." Nor 
were our Pilgrim fathers such passive characters as to re 
sign themselves to injustice when there was a possible way 
of escape. They were men of action. Men of noble 
daring. Though humble in social esteem, they were born 
to be leaders — not followers of mankind. It was m their 



9 

hearts to provide an asylum for persecuted men — to open 
in Christ's, name a refuge for the exile from spiritual op- 
pression. 

'11 10 little company from Scrooby, about one hundred in 
number, were led by Rev. John Robinson, a man of extra- 
ordinary abilities and graces. They went first to Amster- 
dam, for religious toleration was then allowed in the Low 
Countries Here they found other exile churches, dis- 
turbed however by internal dissensions. Robinson sought 
diligently to restore peace to his contending countrymen. 
His efforts were fruitless and rather thiui dwell in such 
an atmosphere of discord, the Scrooby church removed to 
Leyden. For twelve years they dwelt in that ancient city 
of Holland. For twelve years they were trained under the 
superior wisdom and piety of Robinson their pastor. Pie 
became a man of note and power ; and was honored by 
the University of Leyden, as were also a few other mem- 
bers of this congregation. Many able and enduring works 
were |)ublished From his pen. By the friends of Calvinism 
in the University he was selected as their champion in a 
public discussion with a celebrated divine. They were 
not disappointed in their choice ; he discomfited his oppo- 
nent and gained increased distinction. And it is said that 
the Republican government of Holland was only refrained 
by fear of England from bestowing especial honor upon 
this humble but extraordinary pastor of the exiled 
church. 

Yet the people over whom, by their own choice, he ex- 
ercised the pastoral office, were as remarkable as their 
leader. During the twelve years of their life in Leyden not 
a single suit or accusation wus brougiit against one of them. 
" The merchants strove to get their custom, trusted them 
when they lacked money, employed the honest strangers 



10 

and paid them above others." Such was the pastor, and 
such his people, and " such was the mutual love and 
respect which this worthy man had to his flock and his 
flock to him, writes their historian, Bradford, that it migrit 
be said of them as it was once said of the famous Empei-or 
Marcus Aurelius, and the people of liome, that it was 
hard to judge whether he delighted more in having- sucli a 
people, or they in having such a pastor." 

This people determined at length to leave Holland. I'o 
their loyal hearts it was grievous not to live under " tlie 
protection of the state of England." 'lliey were likt-ly to 
lose their mother tongue and the name of Englishmen. 
Few of their oppressed brethren at home would come out 
to them while under such circumstances in a foreign city 
The influence of their example and of their strict Scripture 
principles was not felt as they had hoped it would be up- 
on the Dutch among whom they dwelt, and especially the 
Sabbath was not reformed. Their children were under 
temptation from foreign habits. Approaching old age 
would aggravate many of their trials, and perhaps scatter 
their flock. The fierce and desolating thirty years war 
was just beginning to envelop both the north and south of 
Europe. " And lastly, and which was not the least." they 
said, "• a great hope and inward zeal they had of laying 
some good foundation for advancing the gospel of the 
Kingdom of Christ in those remote parts of the world ; 
yea thongh they should be but as stepping stones unto 
others for the performing of so great a work." Such 
were the pure and exalted motives which actuated these 
men in their purpose to colonize America. 

The obstacles to be encountered were fearful to contem- 
plate. Their peaceful residence in a friendly city was to 
be abandoned. England, still so dear to them, must be 



11 

forever left. By bitter experience they already knew the 
meaning of hardships, and were not like children laugh- 
ing at dangers they could not appreciate. For months 
tliey, their wives una little ones, were to be tossed upon 
the merciless ocean. If the weary voyage should be safe- 
ly over, not a friendly face awaited their arrival. Not a 
welcome voice or sound could they expect. The beating 
surf, the moaning of the winds n\ the interminable forests, 
the bark of the wolf, the yell of the savage — these were 
the onlv greetings that awaited them, ^vhen wasted and 
solitary they siiould sit in their cabin doors and long for 
friends hi]) and sympathy. 

A thouf^and tongues were raised to turn them from so 
rash a purpose. Unnumbered obstacles, real and fancied 
were suggested as Idndrances. Timid souls spoke with 
horror of the perils they should encounter. Wise men 
soberly argued against an enterprise such as the world had 
never yet witnessed. To hope for success was to shut their 
eyes to the common ex]jerience of mankind. It was but 
burying their talents and their lives in the ocean or the 
wilderness. 

Among their own number the solemn project so fraught 
with weal or woe was prayerfully and deliberately consid- 
ered. '' Many particular things were answered and al- 
leged on both sides. They affirmed that all great and hon- 
orable actions are accompanied with great difficulties, and 
must be enterprised and overcome with answerable cour- 
ages." It was granted " that the dangers were great but 
not desperate ; the difficulties were many but not invinci- 
ble ; and all of them through the help of God by forti- 
tude and patience might either be borne or overcome. 
True it was that such attempts were not to be made and 
undertaken without good ground and reason ; not rashly 



12 

or lightly as many have done for curiosity or hope of gain 
But their condition was not ordinary ; their ends were good 
and honorable ; their calling lawful and urgent ; and there- 
fore they might expect the blessing of God in their pro- 
ceeding. Yea, though they should lose their lives in 
this action, yet might they have comfort in the same, and 
their endeavors would be honorable." 

With this spirit they made the great, the tremendous 
venture. Not as ignorant fanatics, not as self-appointed 
martyrs seeking a notoriety in death they could not gain 
in life. Not with reckless indifference to the fiery ttials 
before them did the brave and pious Pilgrims charter the 
Mayflower for its one immortal voyage. By tlie pen of 
their noble pastor they presented to the world the reasons 
for their unprecedented endeavor. But knowing that 
men might still misunderstand and deride their pious mo- 
tives, the eloquent liobinson in closing his " apology,' 
turns to the ear of the Almighty with this moving appeal : 
•"If so it come to pass that there be few found who will 
so far stoop as to look upon so despised creatures, and 
their cause, this alone remaineth, that we turn our faces and 
mouths unto thee, O most powerful Lord and gracious 
Father, humbly imploring help from God towards those 
who are by men left desolate. There is with Thee no 
respect of persons. They who truly fear 'i bee and work 
righteousness, although constrained to live by leave in a 
foreign land, exiled from country, spoiled of goods, desti- 
tute of friends, few in number, mean in condition, are for 
all that, unto Thee () gracious God nothing the less accep- 
ble. Thou numberest all their wanderings, and puttest 
their tears into thy bottles. Are they not written in thy 
book ? Towards thee, O Lord, are our eyes ; confirm our 
hearts, and bend thine ear, and suffer not our feet to 



13 

slip or our faces to be ashamed, O thou both just and mer- 
ciful God." 

To the exiles themselves, now about to venture upon 
pathless seas, and inhospitable shores, the beloved pastor 
also addressed himself. Unable to accompany them he 
bade them farewell in a discourse of which only fragments 
are preserved. But they are set like gems upon the page 
of history. Even now they are employed to beautify and 
emphasize the noblest utterances of the nineteenth century 
in behalf of civil and religious liberty. 

■' I charge you," said this early and wonderful advocate 
of liberty of conscience, '• I charge you, before God and 
his blessed angels, that you follow me no farther than you 
have seen me follow the Lord Jesus Christ. The Lord 
has more truth to break forth out of his holy word. Lu- 
ther and Calvin were great and shining lights in their times 
yet they penetrated not into the whole counsel of God. I 
beseech you, remember it — 'tis an article of your church 
covenant — that you be ready to receive whatever truth 
shall be made known to you from the written word of 
God " 

Stranger sentiments are these to have been uttered two 
hundred and fifty years ago ! They are not timidly sug- 
gested as if dealing with ideas that were as yet uncertain 
and unfiimiliar. Mark the boldness, the decision here ex- 
pressed. How foreign to that age. How rare in any age. 
Slowly indeed have they been accepted even by genera- 
tions since the grave received the dust of the beloved and 
glorious pastor of Leyden. He seems to have caught the 
very spirit of the New Testament. He held it closely ; he 
caused it to be fully and distinctly seen by his people ; he 
impressed it upon their hearts, and together they practised 
it in their lives. What tribute should we not pay to one 



14 

whom the Lord thus honored so far in advance of his 
fellow-men. Could it be possible that the teachings of 
such a man of God, sitting on the mount of vision, should 
be lost upon the loving people who sat so willingly at his 
feet ? We may safely affirm that the Plymouth Pilgrims 
were worthy disciples of such a teacher. Guided by the 
simple principles gathered from the Bible, and explained 
by their leaders, they mastered the great problems of civil 
and religious liberty. 

In behalf of civil liberty their work has long been ac- 
knowledged. Their expectation had been to settle in the 
territ ry of New Virginia. I'o their amazement they 
found themselves in the waters of New England. The 
charter they had brought with them was valid only in Vir- 
ginia But those noble men were equal to the trying 
emergency. In a few^ short lines they drew up a compact 
which was the corner stone of popular constitutional lib- 
erty. To a little church conducted according to the congre- 
gational polity of the Pilgrims, Thomas Jefferson acknowl- 
edged his indebtedness for his best ideas for the £>-overa- 
ment of the American Colonies. 

But "to this humble band of exiles landing on tlie -Mce- 
clad rocks of Plymouth" we are still more deeply indebt- 
ed for that inestimable blessing, the freedom of conscience 
which we now enjoy. I he world has not yet fully appre- 
ciated the services of the Pilgrim Fathers in securing reli- 
gious toleration as a fnndamental jDrinciple of American 
institutions. The real sentiments and practices of these 
large hearted christians are not always understood. We 
often confound the colonists at Plymouth with tl lose who 
ten years later settled around Massachusetts Bay. It is 
but just to notice certain points of difference between the 
two colonies. In so doin"- we shall not honor the Puri- 



15 

tans less but the Pilgrims more. The men of the " Mas- 
sachusetts colony" were Puritans ; but they had not 
severed their connection with the Established Church of 
Kngland ; they never, to any extent certainly, adopted con- 
gregational principles and forms of worship till they reach- 
ed America; says Bancroft of their leading divines, '• Even 
Higginson. and Hooker, and Cotton, were still ministers 
of the ('hurch of England." The founders of the " Ply- 
mouth colony." however, had long since become " Separa- 
tists" from the mother church, coming out fully from the 
jjompous forms and lordly government which then prevail- 
ed, and adopting the simplicity of congregational ideas. 
The fathers of Salem and Boston were not a few of them 
•* men of large fortune." The Plymouth fathers repre- 
sented a sturdy but humbler class ; and as the only meth- 
od of obtaining their outfit, they were under the necessity 
of pledging their daily toil for seven years. The Colo- 
nists around the Bay brought with them aristocratic ideas 
and practices, and their first' form of government was an 
" elective aristocracy." At Plymouth, on the other hand, 
the utmost simplicity and the ])urest democracy prevailed. 
The leading minds of the Puritruis were not always in full- 
est sympathy with the sentiments of the ])eople, and their 
plans were overruled by the freemen ; the fourth vear had 
not passed before •' the ])eople established a reformation 
of sucli things as they judged to be amiss in the govern- 
ment." But among the Pilgrims there was the most cor- 
dial union an;! sympathy The government of the Puri- 
tans at Boston, judged by the greater light of the jiresent 
day, was si)metimes arbitrary, severe, and intolerant. The 
authority at Plymouth, however, was exercised with no 
such intolerance. The Puritans admitted none, to the 
rights of freemen unless they were members of some 



16 

church in the colony. The Pilgrims were more liberal, 
extending the privilege to every male colonist over twenty- 
one years of age ; thus Miles Standish, their military 
captain, was never a member of any church Itis charged 
that the Puritan Colony was dogmatic, contentious, in fre- 
quent conflicts of opinion, and torn by fearful delusions. 
Of the Pilgrim Colony it may be safely affirmed that 
they lived in much greater peace, and though at times dis- 
turbed they were never disgraced by sectarian disputes, 
or rent by the errors of superstition. From the 
colony around the Bay, Roger Williams was banished. 
By the Plymouth men he was received and for two 
years remained a member of their church. Under 
the Puritan government the severest laws were enacted 
against the Quakers, some of whom were whipped, and 
some were executed. " To the honor of the Plymouth 
colony, be it observed, that though the provocations of 
the Quakers were equally as great there as elsewhere, yet 
they never made any sanguinary or capital laws against 
that sect." 

We perceive, therefore, that a wide difference exists, 
and a clear distinction should be made between the Puri- 
tans and the Pilgrims ; between the colony at Boston, and 
at Plymouth. That the men of the Mayflower were purer 
in heart, we may not presume to assert. But no doubt they 
were wiser. They did not make such sad mistakes. Their 
record is without stain. The blood of their fellow men 
never flowed because of their superstition and intolerance. 
From first |to last, in England, in Holland, in America, 
their character stands forth with rare purity and grandeur. 
Fewer wrongs and fewer mistakes probably attach to 
them than to any other church or colony since the apos- 
tolic days. Our admiration rises as we know them better. 



17 

The more closely their history is investigated the brighter 
does it »liine. Our ablest historians award them the high- 
est honor. The first orators of the nation have found in 
the simple annals and lofty motives of the Pilgrims a theme 
worthy of the truest eloquence. Among intelligent read- 
ers of our country's history, the most loyal to the nation 
are the most loyal to Plymouth Rock 

The manners, the customs, the modes of thought, the 
sumptuary laws of the Pilgrim exiles, were indeed differ- 
ent from those of the present century ; and at many of 
their ways and notions we smile. These, however, are 
minor matters. But can we mention one — yes even one 
fundamental principle in affairs of church or state cher- 
ished by us to-day, that was unknown, and unpractised by 
the founders of New England two hundred and fifty years 
ago? They were the advanced champions for the equal 
rights of man at the bar of civil justice, and in the sight 
of the King of kings. Their principle to practice and 
defend was, •' A ('hurch without a Bishop, and a State 
without a King." 

But it is asked, Would not thousands of men and 
women now do just what the Pilgrims did? In one sense, 
certainly they would. So would men now fight for the 
same principles contended for by the heroes of '76. So 
do men now denounce the corruptions of the papacy 
which aroused the indignation of Martin Luther. So do 
they now protest against intolerance in religion as did 
Roger Williams. It is by no means so difficult to imitate 
a good example as to originate the copy. The Pilgrims 
originated ideas and practices, which to their children 
have become as "Household Words." Or rather, it 
should be said, the Pilgrims were original in drawing their 
ideas with such remarkable simplicity and system from 



18 

the Holy Scriptures. They were pre-eminently Bible 
men. This volume they regarded with profoundest reve- 
rence as the only and the sufficient Revelation of God. 
In it they believed were revealed all the principles and 
precepts necessary for the government, the elevation, the 
happiness, and the salvation of man. It Vk^as moreover a 
cardinal doctrine^ in Pilgrim faith that what God had 
revealed, man was to obey to the letter. Their confidence 
in Jehovah and in the blessings promised to obedience, 
was unbounded. Theirs was a faith like that of Abraham, 
and Elijah, and Jeremiah, and the prophets. Before tlie 
Almighty they were the humblest of his children ; and yet 
in the execution of duty as the children of God, before 
every danger and hardship, they were lofty in spirit and 
the bravest of the brave. 

These profound religious convictions, derived unpolluted 
from Divine Revelation, and applied to the duties of life 
with such '' large rouud-ubout common sense" formed tlie 
secret of the glory and power of the Pilgrims. 

What would be the attitude of Christianity to-day had 
the first colonists of Xew Eughind been only as the set- 
tlers of Virginia or Maryland or Canada ? In \'ain should 
we look for the New England Sabbath, so sacredly guard- 
ed by our fathers. And how should this nation have felt 
as it has the predominant inthunce of the 1 loly Scriptures, 
the only enduring charter of human liberty, and eternal 
happiness? How long .since would the American Repub- 
lic have crumbled to atoms, if indeed she had ever won 
an independent existence, iiad not her foundations been 
laid by men who to all their work applied so faithfully the 
line and plummet of conscience and the Word of God? 

In this Two Hundred and Fiftieth year from the Land- 
ing of the Pilgrims, it is proposed by the (congregational 



19 

churches of the land to honor the memory of these noble 
men in a' peculiar manner. New England has given 
America all her highest honor and distinction as a nation ; 
Pilgrim principles have given to six narrow states their 
controlling influence. 

It is worthy therefore that Congregational churches 
should honor the memory of these fathers of New 
England, and fathers of Congregationalism. 

A Memorial Building is to be erected in Boston dedicat- 
ed to the memory and principles of the Pilgrims. That 
it is fitting thus to commemorate the beloved and honored 
dead seems too evident to require argument. 

If proof be needed, let the great monument erected in 
Germany to the memory of Luther bear witness. Let 
the majestic column that rises on Bunker Hill plead elo- 
quently for a Pilgrim Monument. Let each memorial 
Tablet, each memorial Hall erected to the memory of the 
noble dead in nearly every one of the cities and towns of 
our northern states — yes let every cherished and beautified 
cemetery, every monument or simple stone that affection 
and piety have raised to perpetuate the memory of a noble 
ancestry — let all bring witness to the propriety and duty 
of a national memorial to the men who planted and moulded 
the institutions of New England. 

Let it stand prominent on the streets of our metropolis, 
reminding the passer-by that religion is mightier than com- 
merce ; that faith and prayer, and obedience to God, achieved 
what wealth and power could not accomplish. It will re- 
mind the people of the debt we are under to the solid 
christian principles of our Forefathers. In an age of ma- 
terialism it will draw attention to men whose immortal 
fame springs from their unwavering and all-conquering 
faith in God. In the face of the things that are seen and 



20 

temporal it will exalt the things that are unseen and eter- 
nal. It will impress the beholder with the truth of Scrip- 
ture, " Them that honor me I will honor." It will serve 
to awaken ever-renewing interest in the history of this 
"colony of conscience" — this colony of the Bible. In 
the hearts of the children of many generations this Pil- 
grim Memorial will awaken the oft returning questions, 

" Those daring men, those gentle wives, say, wherefore do they come? 
Why rend they all the tender ties of kindred and of home ? 
'Tis Heaven assigns their noble work, man's spirit to unbind : 
They came not for themselves alone — the}- came for all mankind ; 
And to the empire of the west this glorious boon they bring — 
A Church without a Bishop, and a State without a King ! 

And still their spirit, in their sons, with freedom walks abroad ; 

The Bible is our only creed, our only Sovereign, God ! 

The hand is raised, the word is spoke, the joyful pledge is given — 

And boldly on our banner floats, in the free air of heaven. 

The motto of our sainted sires, and loud we'll make it ring — 

A Church without a Bishop, and a State without a King. 



Note. — On 7th page, 5th line from bottom, for " first year^' 
please read " first years." 



17 

The more closely their history is investigated the brighter 
does it shine. Our ablest historians award them the high- 
est honor. The first orators of the nation have found in 
the simple annals and lofty motives of the Pilgrims a theme 
worthy of the truest eloquence. Among intelligent read- 
ers of our country's history, the most loyal to the nation 
are the most loyal to Plymouth Rock. 

The manners, the customs, the modes of thought, the 
sumptuary laws of the Pilgrim exiles, were indeed differ- 
ent from those of the present century ; and at many of 
their ways and notions we smile. These, however, are 
minor matters. But can we mention one — yes even one 
fundamental principle in affairs of church or state cher- 
ished by us to-day, that was unknown, and unpractised by 
the founders of New England two hundred and fifty years 
ago ? They were the advanced champions for the equal 
rights of man at the bar of civil justice, and in the sight 
of the King of kings. Their principle to practice and 
defend was, ^- A ('hurch without a Bishop, and a State 
without a King." 

But it is asked, Would not thousands of men and 
women now do just what the Pilgrims did] In one sense, 
certainly they would. 80 would men now fight for the 
same principles contended for by the heroes of '76. So 
do men now denounce the corruptions of the papacy 
which aroused the indignation of Martin J^ither. So do 
they now protest against intolerance in religion as did 
Roger Williams. It is by no means so difficult to imitate 
a good example as to originate the copy. The Pilgrims 
originated ideas and practices, which to their children 
have become as "Household Words." Or rather, it 
should be said, the Pilgrims were original in drawing their 
ideas with such remarkable simplicity and system from 



18 

the Holy Scriptures. They were pre-eminently Bible 
men. This volume they regarded with profoundest reve- 
rence as the only and the sufficient Eevelation of God. 
In it they believed were revealed all the principles and 
precepts necessary for the government, the elevation, the 
happiness, and the salvation of man. It was moreover a 
cardinal doctrine in Pilgrim faith that what God had 
revealed, man was to obey to the letter. Their confidence 
in Jehovah and in the blessings promised to obedience, 
was unbounded. Theirs was a faith like that of Abraham, 
and Elijah, and Jeremiah, and the prophets. Before the 
iVlmighty they were the humblest of his children ; and yet 
in the execution of duty as the children of (jod, before 
every danger and hardship, they were lofty in spirit and 
the bravest of the brave. 

These profound religious convictions, derived unpolluted 
from Divine Revelation, and applied to the duties of life 
with such '" large round-about common sense" formed tlie 
secret of the glory and power of the Pilgrims. 

What would be the attitude of Christianity to-day had 
the first colonists of New England been only as. the set- 
tlers of Virginia or Maryland or Canada? In vain should 
we look for the New England Sabbath, so sacredly guard- 
ed by our fathers. And how should this nation have felt 
as it has the predominant influence of the Holy Scriptures, 
the only enduring charter of human liberty, and eternal 
happiness? How long since would the American Repub- 
lic have crumbled to atoms, if indeed she had ever won 
an independent existence, had not her foundations been 
laid by men who to all their work applied so faithfully the 
line and plummet of conscience and the Word of God? 

In this Two Hundred and Fiftieth year from the I.and- 
ing of the Pilgrims, it is proposed by the Congregational 



19 

churches of the land to honor the memory of these noble 
men in a , peculiar manner. New England has given 
America all her highest honor and distinction as a nation ; 
Pilgrim principles have given to six narrow states their 
controlling influence. 

It is worthy therefore that Congregational churches 
should honor the memory of these fathers of New 
England, and fathers of Congregationalism. 

A Memorial Building is to be erected in Boston dedicat- 
ed to the memory and principles of the Pilgrims. That 
it is fitting thus to commemorate the beloved and honored 
dead seems too evident to require argument. 

If proof be needed, let the great monument erected in 
Germany to the memory of Luther bear witness. Let 
The majestic column that rises on Bunker Hill plead elo- 
quently for a Pilgrim Monument. Let each memorial 
Tablet, each memorial Hall erected to the memory of the 
noble dead in nearly every one of the cities and towns of 
our northern states — yes let every cherished and beautified 
cemetery, every monument or simple stone that affection 
and piety have raised to perpetuate the memory of a noble 
ancestry — let all bring witness to the propriety and duty 
of a national memorial to the men who planted and moulded 
the institutions of New' England. 

Let it stand prominent on the streets of our metropolis, 
reminding the passer-by that religion is mightier than com- 
merce ; that faith and prayer, and obedience to God, achieved 
what wealth and power could not accomplish. It will re- 
mind the people of the debt we are under to the solid 
christian principles of our Forefathers. In an age of ma- 
terialism it will draw attention to men whose immortal 
fame springs from their unwavering and all-conquering 
faith in God. In the face of the things that are seen and 



20 

temporal it will exalt the things that are unseen and eter- 
nal. It will impress the beholder with the truth of Scrip- 
ture, " Them that honor me I will honor." It will serve 
to awaken ever-renewing interest in the history of this 
" colony of conscience" — this colony of the Bible. In 
the hearts of the children of many generations this Pil- 
grim Memorial will awaken the oft returning questions, 

" Those daring men, those gentle wives, say, wherefore do they come? 
Why rend they all the tender ties of kindred and of home ? 
'Tis Heaven assigns their noble work, man's spirit to unbind : 
They came not for themselves alone — thej' came for all mankind ; 
And to the empire of the west this glorious boon they bring — 
A Church without a Bishop, and a State without a King ! 

And still their spirit, in their sons, with freedom walks abroad : 

The Bible is our only creed, our only Sovereign, God ! 

The hand is raised, the word is spoke, the joyful pledge is given — 

And boldly on our banner floats, in the free air of heaven, 

The motto of our sainted sires, and loud we'll make it ring — 

A Church without a Bishop, and a State without a King. 



Note. — On 7th page, 5th line from bottom, for "first year" 
please read " first years." 



.. i 



!:>V 



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